The point really is that England spent too long giving underachievement a second chance. We English, in general, seem to be dismissive of young players, preferring a 39-year-old who didn’t cut it the first time around. This applies especially to the batting – plenty of young bowlers, including Monty, have been tried in the last few years.

The argument is that the younger players should be given a chance before they become unproven 30-something county veterans.

There are two main reasons for this if you ask me.

1. Selection: English selectors seem to throw players into the side before they have really proved themselves worthy. This usually leads to them not performing due to the pressure, under performing, and dropped before they know what has happened. Their confidence taking a massive kick in the crotch by the unforgiving, roothless English madia and fans.

2. Player Management: Ricky Ponting was spot on yesterday when he said the Cricket Australia are the best player managers in the world. They get rested when possible, and are pressured or told not to play in the IPL. Just like England should have done with Flintoff and Peiterson. English players are not as physically or mentally fit as the Australians. And they do not follow the strict diet and training levels needed. Who remembers Harmisons famous words when he suddenly quit ODI’s after losing the Ashes 5-0 last time. He threw his toys out of the pram, and decided to take his bat and ball and go home, but when asked by journalists what he would do do keep fit he brainlessly said “oh, I dunno really. I suppose I will just have to wait and see if Duncan tells me to for for a run. And then I’ll go for a run I suppose”. Any Australian would never get away with those sort of comments.

None of those points have anything to do with age. All English fans know that Nixon deserved a better run than Monty did. And you have to admit, Monty was young when put in the team, and was given a very long run. So I don’t really see the point of this article.

But yes. It’s the basics that England have to do. Can’t see the way of thinking at Lords change anytime soon though…